Stars React to Oscar Nominations

As expected, Stephen Spielberg’s Lincoln scored the most nods, earning a hefty 12 nominations. The critically acclaimed biopic highlighting the 16th President of the United States' struggle to abolish slavery is listed among the biggest categories of Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

"This was pretty stunning to see all the nominations and I have to say incredibly gratifying," Lincoln producer Kathleen Kennedy told New York Daily News.

Silver Linings Playbook—another big earner—is nominated eight times, including Best Motion Picture, Achievement in Directing, and Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Robert De Niro, a two-time Oscar winner himself, scored a Supporting Actor nom for his work in the film. The 69-year-old New Yorker is delighted with the recognition that the film and its stars are receiving.

“I am very pleased that the Academy has chosen to honor the many individuals who were a part of Silver Linings Playbook,” De Niro tells Hollyscoop in a statement.

Bradley Cooper, nominated for Best Actor in a Lead Role for Linings, radiated to Today.com, saying that he was thrilled just to “be in the same room” with Daniel Day-Lewis, a shoe-in as the winner for his role in Lincoln. Cooper —as many outlets have noted—did sneak in his peeves that Ben Affleck got “robbed” in the directing and acting categories for Argo.

The Hollywood Reporter relays Jennifer Lawrence's feeling on winning a seat in the Best Actress in a Leading Role category:

"I thought I would wake up, but I didn't," she said. "My parents spent the night at my house, and they came in and kissed me on the forehead and told me about all the nominations for Silver Linings."

In the Les Mis department, Hugh Jackman describes his best lead actor nod to THR as "very exciting but all a bit surreal," while his co-star Anne Hathaway welcomes her nomination for best actress in a leading role as a perfect start for, "a wonderful morning."

Naomi Watts is turning more than a few heads with her performance as a tsunami victim in The Impossible. She tells HS that she is “thrilled and humbled” with her Oscar nomination, the second of her career.

“The journey of telling Maria Belon’s miraculous story of survival has been an incredible experience and I am so grateful for this acknowledgement of our film,” says Watts. “I am truly honored.”

Adele, who was nominated in the Best Original Song category for her hit “Skyfall,” tweeted: “Oh my god I feel like Meryl Streep!! Thank you x.”

Michael Haneke, director of the lesser-known Amour, feels "fulfilled" that his film has found an audience and critical acceptance.

Oscar-earning veteran Denzel Washington is no stranger to the acceptance speech. The returning champ was honered again for his lead in the drama Flight, which he says was "one of the most challenging roles I’ve ever had in my career."

"It was an honor to be directed by Robert Zemeckis," Washington tells HS. "It’s always nice to be asked back to the show, and it will be fun to share the evening with our nominated screenwriter John Gatins."

Meanwhile, the competition is fierce in the Best Animated Feature category as Pixar’s Brave goes against Tim Burton’s childhood-inspired animated opus Frankenweenie.

“Frankenweenie is a very personal film for me,” says Burton. “The idea of telling a feature length version was in the back of my mind for many years.”

Life of Pi, one underdog that has at least a fighting chance at the big honor of Best Picture, earned 11 nominations, including one given to Ang Lee for directing.

“I am deeply honored and frankly a little overwhelmed by all of the nominations that Life of Pi has received this morning,” says Lee. “So many talented people gave everything they had to this film, both in front of and behind the camera, and to see all of them receive this kind of recognition is something I am incredibly grateful for.”